Paper feeding machine



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PAPER FEEDING MACHINE Original Filed Feb. 12, 1930 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 f Bgm@ April 9, 1935. F. w. BARKLEY 1,997,273

PAPER FEEDING MACHINE original Filed Feb. 12, i950 9 sheets-Sheet 3 sa i Ogm/QW April 9, 1935-. F. w. BARKLEY PAPER FEEDING MACHINE original Filed Feb'. 12, 19:50

MJ y-IL-nl 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 180 las IBI April 9, 1935. F. w. BARKLEY PAPER FEEDING MACHINE original mea Feb. 12, 1930 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Apl 9, 1935.

- F. W. BARKLEY P APER FEEDING MACHINE Original Filed Feb. 12, 1930 9 sheets-sheet 6 April 9, 1935. F. w. BARKLEY PAPER FEEDING MACHINE I original Filed Feb. 12, i930 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 F. w. BARKLEY PAPER FEEDING MACHINE April 9, 1935. F. w. BARKLEY 1,997,273

PAPER FEEDING MACHINE Original Filed Feb. 12, 1930 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 l L l wwww-m ZEG 242.

Patented Apr. 9, 1935 y v I UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE PArEa FEEDING MACHINE Fred w. Barkley, Winthrop. Meer.'

Application February 12, 1930, Serial No. 427,830 Renewed April 24, 1934 69 Claims. (Cl. 271-38) 'Ihe present invention relates to paper feeding sheet in the pile during its movement of separamachines which separate individual sheets from tion from the pile; a pile and deliver them in succession to a mecha.- Fig. 15 is a detail view in plan ofthe calipering nism or machine for operating thereon. and ejecting mechanism; The principal object of the invention is to Fig. 16 is a view in right side elevation of the 5 produce a sheet separating and delivering maparts shown in Fig. y chine which will operate at high speed in a reli- Fig. 17 is a detail view in front sectional elevaable and certain manner to separate sheets from tion on the line I'I-I1,Fig. 16; a pile and deliver them in regular succession to Fig. 18 is a detail view in right side elevation, 10 a folder or other machine for operating upon the partly in section, of the calipering and ejecting 10 sheets and which will replenish the pile, from mechanism; which the sheets are separated and delivered, Fig. 19 is a view in rear sectional elevation on automatically. the line l9-l9, Fig. 18;

To the accomplishment of this object, and such Fig. 20 is a view showing a diagram of the 15 others as may hereinafter appear, the features magnet and resistance coil circuits connecting the 15 of the invention relate to certain methods, desheet separating mechanism and the bank feedvces, combinations and arrangements of parts ing clutch-actuating mechanism; hereinafter described and then set forth broadly Fig. 21 is a detail showing a modied form of and in detail in the appended claims which the winding device for elevating the top sheet 2o possess advantages readily apparent to those from the pile; 20 skilled in the art. Fig. 22 is a.A detail view in underside plan oi.' The various features of the present invention another modified form ofthe winding device for will be readily understood from an inspection of elevating the top sheet from the pile; the accompanying drawings illustrating the best Fig. 23 is a detail view in elevation of the deform of the invention at present known to the vice shown in Fig. 22; 25 inventor, in which, Fig. 24 isa detail view in plan of the valve Figure 1 is a view in right side elevation of mechanismin the air exhausting system, and the sheet feeding machine; Fig. 25 is a detail View in right side elevation, Fig. 2 is a detail view in front elevation, partly partly broken away and partly in section, of the in section, of the mechanism for separating the valve mechanism. 30

uppermost sheet from the pile; Referring first to Fig. 1 for a preliminary gen- Fig. Sisaview in plan, the upper inclined feederal description of the machine and the work ing table and the two feeding bands being reperformed thereby, the sheets are stacked in a moved to show underlying parts; pile on a table shown at the extreme left ofthe 33 Fig. 4 is a detail view in rear end elevation, figure. The sheets are withdrawn one at a time 35 partly in section; from the pile on the table and delivered to a Fig. 5 is a detail plan, partly in section, of the machine or mechanism for performing a subsemechanism for delivering the separated sheet quent operation upon the sheets. 'I'he diminishfrom the pile; ing pile on the table is replenished by an auto- 10 Fig. 6 is a detail view in right side elevation, matic mechanism which feeds the front end of a 40 partly in sectional elevation, on the line 6 6, bank over the table beneath a staking finger. Fig. 5; During the feed of the front end of the bank on Fig. '7 is a diagrammatic view of the upper and the table the staking finger drags over the exlower supply tables and the reversing throat posed face of the uppermost sheet in the pile 4.3 therebetween; until the staking iinger rides off the leading edge Fig. 8 is a detail view in plan of the lower supof the sheet and engages the exposed face of the ply table; next to the top sheet in the pile. When this oc- Fig. 9 is a detail view in sectional elevation on curs the leading edge of the top sheet in the pile the line 9 9, Fig. 8. is engaged by a hold-down. 'I'he uppermost sheet Fig. l0 is a detail view in sectional elevation on in the pile is withdrawn from beneath the hold- 50 the line ID-HL Fig. 9; down by a rotary suction roll rotating constantly Fig. 11 is a detail view in front sectional eleva-l about a iixed axis in a clock-wise direction and tion 0f the Sheet delivering drum; having substantially the same construction and Figs. 12, 13 and 14 are diagrammatic views illusmode of operation as the rotary suction roll distrating progressive positions of the uppermost Closed in my application filed December 10, 1929, 55

Serial No. 413,023.' This roll engages the exposed face oi' the uppermost sheet adjacent its trailing edge and withdraws it entirely by suction from beneath the hold-down. As the sheet is drawn from beneath the hold-down the trailing edge of the sheet engages ngers which are moved to operate an electric circuit, containing a magnet to open the conduit, through which air is drawn from the roll to the atmosphere, thus to reduce the sutional 'effect of the roll on the sheet. Under reduced suction the roll tends to hold Athe trailing edge of the sheet in contact with the fingers without moving the sheet. When the leading edge of the sheet is withdrawn from beneath the hold-down, the leading edge of the separated sheet snaps upwardly, vor is elevated by a winding device, into position for the operation of a suction drum which rotates constantly about a fixed axis in a contra-clock-wise direction, and having a somewhat similar mode of operation as the rotary suction drum disclosed in my application hereinbefore referred to. This drum snatches the separated sheet from the roll and delivers it entirely by suction from the pile. During its delivery from the pile the sheet is picked up bodily from the pile and is wrapped partially about the periphery of the drum so that the sheet leaves the drum in a direction reverse to that in which the sheet moves when the drum snatches the separated sheet from the separating roll. Automatic mechanism is provided for calipering the sheet as it leaves theA drum. This calipering mechanism controls an ejecting mechanism. When a single sheet leaves the delivering drum the electing mechanism is not responsive to any movement of the calipering mechanism. When, however, two or more sheets become stuck together and are delivered by the drum from the pile as a unit the calipering mechanism detects the presence of the plurality of stuck-together sheets and throws the electing mechanism into operation to eject said plurality of sheets out of the path in which the individual sheets are conducted to the folder or other mechanism. 'I'he automatic mechanism for -replenishing the pile of sheets operated upon by the separating roll and the delivering drum comprises an upper supply table, a reversing throat, a lower supply table, a band for feeding a bank, formed by hand stacking, over the supply table, and a band for feeding the bank over the lower supply table to the pile supporting table. The mechanism for operating the feeding bands is under the control of the same fingers which control the suctional pull on the separating roll so that the feed of the bank is stopped when the trailing edge of the separated sheet engages said fingers. The feed o1' the bank is restarted when the delivery drum snatches the separated sheet from the separating roll. The feeding bands normally engage each other forming a reversing throat. The lower supply table feeding band is mounted to yield and allow the bank to force the bands apartso that the reversing throat automatically adapts itself to the thickness of the bank. The front and rear ends of the under supply table float on springs which impel the table upwardly towards fixed abutments. yThe vertical position of the under supply table thus depends upon the thickness of the bank fed thereover.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention a bank 2| (Fig. l) is formed by hand stacking feathered or fanned out sheets upon an upper inclined supply table 22. 'I'he bank 2| is fed from the table 22 through a reversing throat 23 to a lower supply table 24 inclined reversely from the supply table 22. The bank is fed on the upper supply table 22 towards the rear of the machine and the bank 2| is fed on the lower lsupply table 24 towards the front of the machine which for the purposes of the present disclosure is considered as that portion of the machine adjacent the mechanism to which the sheets are fed for a subsequent operation. The sheets placed on the upper supply table 22 are feathered or tanned out so that the bevel on the end of the bank, directed towards the rear. end of the machine. is exposed. 'I'hat is, each sheet, in said portion of the bank, except the uppermost sheet underlaps the sheet above it from the bottom to the top of the bank. When the beveled end of the bank is reversed and then fed over the under supply table 24 each sheet in said end, except the lowermost sheet, overlaps the sheet below it from the top to the bottom of the bank.

One end of the supply table 22 is supported from the machine or mechanism to which the sheets are fed. The other end of the table 22 is supported by brackets 25 supported in turn from a horizontal rod 26 the opposite ends of which are secured, respectively, to vertical brackets 21 (Figs. 1, 3 and 4) and 29 (Fig. 3). The brackets 21 and 28 are secured, respectively, to side-frames 29 and 39 each of which is supported from the floor by a column 3| (Figs. 1 and 3) The bank 2| is fed down the supply table 22 by a continuous band 32 the upper run of which passes around a drum 33 (Figs. 1, 3 and 4) on a shaft 34 the opposite ends oi' which are journaled, respectively, in the brackets 21 and 28 (Fig. 3) The lower run of the band 32 passes over a drum 35 (Figs. l and 3) which is mounted to rotate loosely on the rod 28 between fixed collars 36 thereon.

Outside the bracket 21 (Fig. 4) the shaft 34 is provided with a gear 31 which meshes with a gear 38 mounted to rotate loosely on a horizontal stud 39 secured at one end to the bracket 21. Loosely mounted on the stud 391s a worm wheel 40 which is driven by a worm 4| on a vertical shaft 42, one end of which is journaled in a bracket 43 carried by the side-frame 29 and the other end of which is carried by a bracket 438 on the sideframe 29. Beneath the bracket 430 the vertical shaft 42 is provided with a bevel gear 44 which meshes with a larger bevel gear 45 on a stub-shaft 45 one end of which is journaled in a bracket |38. The bracket |38 is mounted in the side-frame 29 so that it may swing about the axis of the shaft 46 for a purpose presently to be described. The other end of the stub-shaft 46 is journaled in a bracket 41 supported from the side-frame 29. The bevel gear 45 is driven by a smaller bevel gear 48 (Fig. 1) provided with a hub 49 secured to a shaft 59 (Fig. 4) one end of which is journaled in an arm 5| of a yoke 52 carried by a bracket 53 on the sideframe 29. The other end of the shaft 50 is journaled in the other arm 54 of the yoke 52. Pinned to the shaft 50 is the hub 55 of one member 56 of a clutch the other member 51 of which is formed on a sleeve 58 splined to the hub of a pulley 59 loosely mounted on the shaft 50. As the hub of the pulley engages the face of the clutch member 56 and as the pulley engages the bearing 54 the pulley is held from movement longitudinally of the shaft 58. The clutch members 56 and 51 are normally held in engagement by a spring 60 coiled around the hub of the pulley 59 and interposed beshown). In addition to this variable transmission the rate at which the bank 2| may be fed over the supply table 22 may be varied by changing the gear ratio between the gears 31 and 38 both of which are mounted for ready removal on the ends of the shafts 34 and 39, respectively, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

Through the connections described the drum 33 is driven in a clock-wise direction (Fig. l) to feed the bank 2| along the table 22 to the reversing throat 23. 'This throat 23 is the space between the band 32 and a second band 62 which engages the upper surface of the table 24 and feeds the bank 2| thereover As shown in Fig. 1 the bands 32 and 62 engage when no bank is passing through the throat 23. As the bank, formed on the table 22, builds up in thickness the band 62 is moved away from the band 32 by the bank to form a throat 23 corresponding in width to the thickness of the bank. The bank also pushes the under supply table 24 downwardly to permit the bank to pass in between the table 24 and the roll 33.

The under supply table 24 (Fig. 8) comprises inclined side bars 63 and 64 which are connected at their rear ends by a horizontal rod 65. At their front ends the bars 63 and 64 are connected, respectively, to arms 66 and 61 projecting rearwardly from hubs 68 and 69 in which a horizontal shaft 10 is journaled. As shown in Fig. 1 the sideframe 29 is cut-away. The side-frame 39 is similarly cut away to allow the shaft 10 to move vertically in a manner presently to be described.

The bank 2| is supported upon the table 24 by a central board 1| and two side slats 12 and 13. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9 the rear ends of the board 1| and side slats 12 and 13 are supported by the rod 65. To this end the board and slats are provided with depending blocks 14 (Fig. 9) having a groove 15 therein which engages the upper surface of the rod 65. The block 14 carries a leaf spring 16 which engages the lower surface of the rod 15. With this construction the rear end of the board and slats, while supported in a rigid manner, may be slid readily alongr the rod 65 to space them apart different distances laterally.

Near its front end the board 1| rests upon two arms 11 and 18 (Fig. 10) which are carried respectively by the rear ends of curved straps 19 and secured together by a tie-rod 8|. The front ends of the straps 19 and 80 are each provided with a yoked end 82 the arms of which embrace the lower portion of the shaft 10. The connected straps 19 and 80 are supported for lateral adjustment upon a 'horizontal rod 820 the opposite ends of which are supported in blocks 82| and 822 depending from the arms 65 and 61, respectively. The lateral adjustment of the straps 19 and 80 on the rod 820 is maintained by a set screw 823 (Fig. 9). Intermediate their ends the board 1| and straps 12 and 13 are supported for lateral adjustment by blocks 14 and springs 16 on a tie-rod 83 connected to the side-bars 63 and 64.

The opposite ends of the rod 65 are pivotally connected, respectively, to the lower ends of links 84 and 85 (Fig. 3) the upper ends of which are connected, respectively, to the free ends of arms 86 and 81 projecting from hubs 88 and 89 on a rock-shaft 90 the opposite ends of which are journaled in the brackets 21 and 28. The arm 8S is maintained normally in an elevated position by a coiled spring 9| (Fig. 1), which iscoiled about a rod 92 pivoted on an arm 93 projecting rearwardly from the side-frame 29, and interposed between a collar 94 on the rod 92 and a plate 95 secured in a pivotal manner to the arm 86 through which plate the rod 92 extends loosely. The arm 81 is maintained normally in an elevated position by a spring 96 (Fig. 3) connected from the sideframe 30 and the arm 81 like the spring 9| for the arm 86. With this construction the rear ends of table 24 are impelled vertically by means of the springs 9| and 96 to maintain the rear end of the table 24 engaged normally with an abutment comprising the band covered roll 33. The springs 9| and 96 also maintain the band 62 pressed against the band 32 to close the reversing throat 23.

The oppositeends of the shaft 10 (Fig. 8) are supported in hubs 91 and 98 (Fig. 10) which are connected, respectively, by links 99 and |00 to the long arms of bell-crank levers |0| and |02. The lever I0| (Fig. l) is pivoted at |03 upon the sideframe 29. The short arm of the bell-crank lever crank lever |0| so that the opposite ends of the shaft 10 are supported yieldingly to maintain normally the front end of the table 24 engaged with an abutment comprising two rolls |09 (Figs. 1, 5 and 6), presently to be described.

In order to drive the band 62 and thus feed the 1 bank along the table 24, the shaft 10 carries a roll |0 (Figs. 8, 9 and 10) over which the upper run of the band 62 passes. 'Ihe roll I I0 is splined to the shaft 10 and rotates between the yokes 82 (Fig. 8) so that when the board 1| is adjusted laterally, the board 1| and roll ||0 move together as a unit. The lower run of the band 62 passes over a roll (Fig. 9) the opposite ends of which are journaled in the arms 56 and 61, respectively, (Fig. 8). From the roll the lower run of the band 62 passes under a roll I I2 (Fig. 1) journaled in the lower end of a frame comprising two straps ||3 and ||4 (Fig. 10) tied together by tie-rods I I5 and I6 (Fig. 1). The free ends of the straps I I3 and ||4 are pivoted on the rod 820. With this construction the roll I I2 bears on the band under the influence of gravity and thus constitutes a gravity take-up for the band 62. From the roll I|2 the band 62 passes over a roll I1 (Figs. 1 and 3) mounted to rotate freely on the shaft 90 between the hubs 88 and 89. From the roll I1 the band 62 passes over a roll l I8 mounted to rotate between the collars I9 and |20 on a rod I2| having its opposite ends secured, respectively, to the brackets 21 and 28. From the roll II 8 the band 62 passes under the roll 33 in contact with the band 32. The band 62 also contacts with the board 1I throughout its length. The rolls 33, II I, I1 and I8 have extended surfaces to permit the shifting of the band 62 laterally thereon.

In order to rotate the shaft 16 and thus move the band 62 over the board 1| to feed the bank .thereon, the right-hand end of the shaft 10 carries a worm-wheel |22 (Figs. 1 and 3) which is driven by a worm |23 on an inclined shaft |24. One end of the shaft |24 is supported in the arms |25 and |25 of a double-yoke |21 the arms |28 and |29 of which are supported by the shaft 19 with the worm-wheel |22 mounted between them. The other end of the shaft |24 is journaled in the swinging bracket |30, Figs. 1 and 4. The shaft |24 is driven from the bevel gear 46 by a bevel gear '|3l, on one end of the shaft |24, in mesh with the gear 45.

With this construction the bands 32 and 62 are driven in time relation from the bevel gear 45 to feed the bank down the upper supply table 22 and through the throat 23 and over the lower supply table 24. When no bank is being fed through the reversing throat 23 the band 62 contacts with the band 32 as they pass underneath the roll 33 due to the action of the springs 9| and 96 which press the rear end of the tablev 24 upwardly. At the same time the front end of the table 24 engages the rolls |09 due to the action of the springs |01 which press the front end of the table 24 upwardly.

When the bank 2| is formed on the upper supply table 22 and then fed to the reversing throat 23 the underlapping edges of the fanned out sheets in the bank gradually wedge the band 62 away from the band 32-until the reversing throat 23 is opened to accommodate the full thickness of the bank. During the passage of the bank through the reversing throat 23 onto the table 24 the bank pushes the band 62 from the full line position oi Fig. '7 to the construction line position therein. During this movement of the band 62 the rock-shaft 90 rocks in a counter clock-Wise direction and the arms 86 and 81 move downwardly against the tension of the springs 9| and 96. Because the roll ||2 and its frame are mounted to swing freely upon the rod 820 the roll ||2 acts as an automatic belt tightener or gravity take-up to maintain the band 62 taut as the ban 62 moves away from the band 32.

After the front end of the bank passes through the throat 23 the travelling band 62 feeds it over the table 24 towards the front end thereof. When the overlapping edges of the fanned out sheets in the bank reach the front end of the table 24 they enter between the roll ||0 and the opposed abutment rolls |09 and gradually wedge the roll 0 and the front end of the table 24 downwardly against the tension of the springs |01 as shown by comparison of the full and construction line positions of Fig. '1.

The front end of the bank after it passes through the space between the band feeding roll |I0 and the abutment rolls |09 curves downwardly until it engages a pair of spaced rails |32 (Figs. 1, 7 and 14) the rear ends of which are supported by a cross-piece |33 (Fig. 1) carried by brackets |34 and on the side-frames 29 and 30. The front ends of the rails |32 are supported fromthe machine or mechanism to which the sheets are fed. Associated with the rails |32 are slats |35 and |36 (Fig. 3). The rails |32 and the slats |35 and |36 are mounted for lateral movement similarly to the board 1| and the slats 12 and 13 of the table 24. The front end of the bank is pushed over the rails |32 and the slats |35 and |36 by that portion of the bank being fed over the table 24 by the band 62. The rails |32 and the associated slats |35 and |36 constitute a supporting table |31 for a pile of superimposed sheets comprising the front portion of the bank 2|. The sheets piled on the table |31 are withdrawn one at a time by mechanism to be described. Notwithstanding this constant reduction in the pile it is replenished constantly by other sheets contained in the front end oithe continuous bank.

As shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14 a bend is imparted to the bank in that portion which bridges the gap between the tables 24 and |31. In order to vary the location and extent of this bend both the band feeding roll ||0 and the abutment rolls` |09 are adjustably mounted so that their relative positionsmay be changed to accommodate the machine to different kinds oi' paper and different conditions of use. That is, the axes of the band feeding roll ||0 and the abutment rolls |09 may be arranged in a vertical plane or in inclined planes extending downwardly either forwardly or backwardly with reference to the front of the machine. Moreover, the axis of the roll ||0 may swing downwardly against the tension of the springs |01 in an arc extending forwardly or backwardly with reference to the front of the machine. In this swinging movement of the roll ||0 the bracket |30 swings about the axis of the shaft 46.

To this end the hubs 91 and 98 (Figs. 3 and 10) on the shaft 10 are provided, respectively, with arms |40 and |4| to which are connected links |42 and |43. As shown in Fig. 1 the link |42 is pivotally secured by a nut |44 to an arm |45. One end of the arm is pivoted at |46 to the sideframe 29. The other end of the arm |45 is connected to the side-frame 29 by a bolt |41 and a nut |48. The shank of the bolt is mounted in an arcuate slot |49 formed in the side-frame 29. By loosening the nut |48 the position of the bolt 41 in the slot |49 may be changed to swing the arm |45 about its pivot |46 and thus vary the angle of the plane in which the axes of the rolls |09 and ||0 extend. This adjustment is maintained during the operation of the machine by tightening the nut |48. The arm |45 is provided with a series of holes |50 (Fig. 1) so that the pivotal point of connection between the link |43 and the arm |45 may be changed to vary the manner in which the roll ||0 swings under the depressing influence of the bank as it passes between the roll ||0 and the abutment rolls |09. The link |43 is adjustably connected to the sideframe 30 in a manner similar to the connection of the link 42 to the side-frame 29.

The abutment rolls |09 are adjustable vertically and also about a fixed axis. To this end the left-hand roll |09 (Figs. 5 and 6) is mounted to rotate freely in a yoke |5| projecting forwardly and downwardly from the lower end of a slide |52 mounted to slide vertically in ways |53 formed in the vertical face of a support |54. 'I'he slide |52 may be held in any position of' vertical adjustment on the support |54 by a bolt |55 threaded into the support and mounted to pass through a slot |56 in the slide |52. To facilitate the adjustment of the left-hand roll |09 vertically the upper end of the slide |52 is engaged by the end of a bolt |51 which is threaded through an opening |58 (Fig. 5) formed in a cap |59 bolted to the horizontal face oi' the support |54. The right-hand roll |09 is mounted to rotate freely in a yoke |590 (Fig. 5) projecting forwardly and downwardly from the lower end of a slide |60 (Fig. 1) which is adjustably mounted on the vertical face of the support |54 in a manner similar to the slide |52 for the left-hand roll |09.

The support |54 is mounted for lateral adjustment upon two horizontal spaced bars |6| and |62 (Figs. l and 6). To this end the support |54 has a portion |63 formed to slide between and in engagement with the bars 6| and 62. The support |54 is provided with a bolt |64 which passes through the portion |63 and is threaded to receive a nut |65 the head of which engages the bars |6| and |82 to clamp the support |64 in any position of lateral adjustment on the bars. The ends of the bars |6| and |62 are supported, respectively, by arms |66 and |81 (Fig. 3) projecting from hubs |68 and |89 loosely mounted on a horizontal shaft |10. The ends of the shaft |10 are journaled in brackets |1| and |12 on the side-frames 29 and 30, respectively. The hubs |68 and |69 are rotatably adjustable about the shaft |10. To this end the hubs |68 and |89 each carry bolts |13 and |14 (Fig. 1) which pass through arcuate slots |16 and |16 in the brackets |1| and |12, respectively. With this construction the hubs |68 and |89 may be rotated about the axis of the shaft |10 and then secured in their position of adjustment by nuts |11 and |18 (Fig. 11) on the bolts |13 and |14.

Mounted between the abutment rolls |09 in position to engage the uppermost sheet in the bank is a staking finger |19 (Figs. 5, 6, 12, 13 and 14). This staking finger is thin (Fig. 6), and has a wide end (Fig. 5) engaged with the exposed face of the uppermost sheet. The staking finger |19 at its rear end is secured by a screw |80 to the horizontal arm of a bell-crank lever |8| pivoted on a horizontal pin |82 carried by the lower end of a vertical plate |83 (Fig. 5). The plate |83 is bolted to the vertical face of the support |54 so that the staking finger |19 is moved when the support |54 is adjusted laterally on the bars |6| and |62 or is adjusted about the axis of the shaft |10. In order to press the wide end of the staking finger yieldingly against the exposed face of the uppermost sheet in the bank the plate |83 houses a coiled spring |84 arranged to engage a cup |85 formed in the free end of the vertical arm of the bell-crank lever |8|. The tension of the spring |84 may be adjusted by an adjusting screw |86 carried by the plate |83 and arranged to engage a plunger |81 engaged with the spring |84. The forward position of the wide end of the staking finger |19 may be varied. To this end the staking finger is slotted to embrace the shank of the screw |80 and its rear end is turned upwardly to fit in a groove |88 on an adjusting screw |89 threaded into a cylindrical opening formed in the bell-crank lever |8I.

The staking finger |19 is flanked (Fig. 5) on either side by guard fingers |90 and |9| formed on one end of a plate |92 which is mounted for adjustment upon the staking finger. To this end the plate |92 is slotted to embrace a bolt having a head |93 engaged with the plate |92 and an adjusting nut 94 engaged with the holddown |19. The fingers |90 and |9| constitute a hold-down for holding the top sheet in the pile after its leading edge moves from beneath the staking finger |19.

Referring now to Fig. 1 the front portion of the bank has been fed from the upper inclined table 22, over the lower inclined table 24 and onto the table |31 where it forms a pile During the pushing of the front end of the bank over the table |31 the exposed face of the uppermost sheet in the bank rides under the staking finger |19 until finger |19 reaches a position adjacent the leading edge of the uppermost sheet in the pile (Fig. 12). The leading edge of the sheet is the one in advance when the sheet is delivered from the machine. The trailing edge is the one opposite the leading edge. During the continued feed of the front end of the bank over the table |31 the staking finger rides off the top sheet and engages the exposed face of the next to the top sheet in the pile (Fig. 13). The principal function of the staking finger |19 is to prevent any movement of the sheets in the pile on the table |31 other than through the feed of the fornt end of the bank thereon. The top sheet in the pile is now held onvthe table |31 by the hold-down comprising the fingers |90 and |9| in position for the operation of the device which separates the uppermost sheet in the pile and the device for withdrawing the separated sheet from the pile.

The devices for separating the sheets inthe pile and withdrawing them one at a time from the pile, comprise a rotary suction roll or drum |95 (Figs. 1 and 3) and a rotary suction roll or drum |96 (Figs. 1, 3, 6 and 11). For convenience merely hereinafter, the devices |95 and |96 are called, respectively, a roll and a drum. The roll |95 withdraws the uppermost sheet in the pile from beneath the hold-down comprising the fingers |90 and |9| to separate the sheet from the other sheets in the pile and is therefor called a separating device. The drum |96 acts upon the sheet separated by the roll |95 to deliver the separated sheet from the pile andis therefor called a. delivering device. The separating and delivering devices |95 and |96 move the sheet successively in opposite directions. The separating device |95 operates upon the exposed face of the uppermost sheet in the pile adjacent its trailing edge. The delivering device |96 operates upon the exposed face of the uppermost sheet in the pile adjacent its leading edge. The separating and delivering devices are relatively movable toward and from each other to accommodate their operation to sheets of widely varying lengths.

The rotary suction roll |95 functions only when, through the bank feeding mechanism described, the'trailing edge of the uppermost sheet in the pile on the table |31 is pushed within the field of operation of the roll |95. When this occurs, the separating device |95, which is a suction roll rotating about a fixed axis in a clock-wise direction viewing Fig. 1, engages the uppermost sheet and draws it from beneath the hold-down fingers 90 and 9| thus to separate the uppermost sheet from the other sheets in the pile. As soon as the leading edge of the uppermost sheet passesfrom beneath the hold-down fingers it snaps upwardly into the zone of operation of the delivering device |96. This device, which is a suction drum rotating aboutV a fixed axis in a contra-clock-wise direction viewing Fig. draws the separated sheet away from the separating roll |95, picks up the separated sheet bodily and delivers it from the pile. The hold-down fingers |90 and |9| prevent the leading edge of the uppermost sheet from snapping prematurely into the field of operation of the drum |98 and insure that the sheet will not be operated upon by the drum |96 until the separating roll |95 has completed its separating stroke.

Referring to Fig. I2 the bank 2| is being fed to bring the trailing edge of the uppermost sheet into the field of operation of the separating roll |95. As shown, the leading edge of the upper,- most sheet is about to be engaged by the staking finger |19. Fig. 13 shows that the bank feeding mechanism has fed the leading edge of the top sheet from beneath the staking finger but not from beneath the hold-down fingers. As soon as the leading edge of the uppermost sheet in the pile is fed out of engagement with the 6 staking nger the latter drops into place upon the leading edge of the next to the uppermost sheet to maintain the pile staked. As soon as the separating device |95 withdraws the leading edge of the uppermost sheet from beneath the hold-down fingers the leading edge of the separated sheet snaps upwardly into the field of operation of the delivering drum |99 as shown in Fig. 14. The ability of the leading edge of the uppermost sheet to snap upwardly into the field of operation of thedelivering drum |96 is due tothe bend imparted in the pile adjacent the leading edges of the sheets. During the effective stroke of the separating roll |95 to withdraw the leading edge of the uppermost sheet from beneath the hold-down fingers, the bank is being fed in the manner heretofore described'. As soon as the leading edge of the uppermost sheet is withdrawn from beneath the hold-down fingers the feed of the bank is stopped momentarily until the delivering drum |96 snatches the separated sheet from the separating roll |95. When the separated sheet is withdrawn from the roll |95 the feed of the bank is resumed to bring the trailing edge lof the succeeding uppermost sheet in the pile within the field of operation of the separating roll |95.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3 the separating device |95 comprises a cylindrical roll which is keyed to a horizontal shaft |98 journaled in the opposed arms of a yoke |99. The yoke |99 is pivoted upon a support 200 so that the position of the roll may be adjusted vertically, the extent of adjustment be controlled and maintained by an adjusting screw 20|. The support 200, as shown in Fig. 2, is mounted to slide between the rails |32 in order to accommodate the operation of the roll |95 and drum |96 to .sheets widely varying in length. The desired position of the support 200 longitudinally of the rails is maintained by a clamping screw.

The shaft for the roll |95 is driven by a bevel gear 20|0 (Fig. 1) which meshes with a similar gear 202 on one end of a flexible shaft 203. One end of the flexible shaft 203 is journaled in a bracket 204 (Fig. 3) extending from the yoke |99. The other end of the flexible shaft 203 is journaled in a bracket 205 (Figs. 3, 5 and 6) extending laterally from an arm 205 pro- Jecting rearwardly from a hub 201 secured to a horizontal rod 203. The front end of the arm 206 is forked and embraces the shaft |10. The opposite ends of the rod 208 are supported from the brackets |1| and |12 (Fig. 3). As shown in Figs. 5 and 6 the hub 206 may be adjusted laterally on the rod 209, a screw 209 being provided" to hold the hub 201 in any position of lateral adiustment.

The flexible shaft 203 is driven by a bevel gear 2 I0 which meshes with a similar gear 2|| mounted on a sleeve 2| 2 splined to the shaft |10. The face on the sleeve 2|2 opposite the gear 2|| engages the forked end of the arm 205. Outside the bracket |12 (Fig. 3) the shaft |10 is provided with a sprocket 2|3 which is driven by a chain (not shown) from the machine or mechanism towhich the sheets are fed so that the shaft |10 may be driven in a contra-clockwise direction, viewing Fig. l, in timed relation with said machine or mechanism. The roll and drum 95 rotate in opposite directions.

Referring to Fig. 3 the cylindrical separating roll |95 is provided with a cylindrical series-of aligned rows of openings 2|4 and is otherwise constructed similar to the rotary cylindrical suction roll disclosed in my co-pending application hereinbefore referred to.

. In order to draw atmospheric air through the roll |05 to cause the uppermost sheet in the pile to adhere to the lowermost suction cups 2 |4 of the roll |95 it is connected by a conduit 2|5 to some suitable air exhauster (not shown). Intermed!- ate its ends the conduit 2|5 is connected to a valve casing 2|9 (Fig. 2) carried by a bracket 2|1 on the support 200. The conduit 2| 5 is maintained normally closed to the atmosphere by a valve comprising a leather disk 2|9 (Figs. 2 and 3) carried by a cap 2|9 pinned to a guide, stem 220 mounted to slide in a fibre bushing 22| which lines a small opening 222 (Fig. l) in the valve casing.

In order to operate the valve 2|3 to open the conduit 2|5 to the atmosphere, the cap 2|9 is connected by a link 223 to an armature 224 formingrpart of a magnet and resistance coil unit 225. The magnet part of the unit comprises a coil 225 inserted through an opening formed centrally in a series of flat plates 221 (Fig. 3) the construction being such that a portion of each of the 'plates passes through the central opening in the coil 22B. The plates 221 are bound together by two. fiat metallic plates 229 (Fig. 3) each having a pair of outstanding ears 229 through which screws pass to secure the unit 225 to the vertical face of a plate 230 secured to the support 200. Interposed between the ears 229 and the vvertical face of the plate 230 is an insulating plate 23|. The rear side of the vertical face of the plate 230 carries clips 232 similar to fuse clips, which support a resistance coil cartridge 233. By means of the leather valve 2|0, the fibre bushing 22|, and the insulating plate 23| the magnet unit is insulated electrically and magnetically from the machine.

Beneath the table |31 the support 200 carries a pin 234 upon which an arm 235 is mounted for pivotal adjustment. 'I'he arm 235 carries a pair of adjustable electric terminals 235 and 231 which are insulated, respectively, from the arm 235 by the insulating plates 238 and 239. The arm 235 carries a bell-crank lever 240, constructed of insulating material, the horizontal arm of which supports a switch 24| to which an electric terminal 242 is connected. The switch 24| is insulated from the machine by the insulating material of which Athe lever 240 is constructed. The vertical arm on the bell-crank lever 240 carries a plate 243 which is formed at its front end into three i'lngers 244 (Fig. 3) which extend forward ly into grooves 245 in the separating roll |95. 'I'he forward ends of the fingers 245 extend into the path of movement of the trailing edge of the uppermost sheet in the pile during its movement from beneath the hold-down' under the action of the roll |95.

Normally the armature 224, which is pivoted to the unit 225, is held in the position of Fig. 2 by a spring 249 one end of which is connected to the armature 224 and the other end of which is connected to the valve body 2|6. Normally the fingers 244 are held in the position of Fig. 1, with the switch 24| engaged with the terminal 239, by a spring 241 which presses against the front face of the plate 243. The movement of the plate 243 under the influence of the spring 241 is limited by an adjustable screw 240. The tension of the spring 241 may be adjusted by an adjusting screw 249 which passes loosely through the plate 243. The spring 241 is coiled about the shank of the screw 249 and interposed between the plate and a head on the screw.

As shown by the diagram in Fig. 2`0 the re sistance coil 231:3 and the magnet 225 are connected in series to the electrical transmission lines independent of the switch 24|. When the switch 24| contacts with the terminal 236 the magnet 226 is short-circuited and practically de-energized to release :the armature 224 to the influence of the spring 246. When the switch 24| contacts with the terminal 231 the resistancecoil is short-circuited and practically de-energized. This increases the energization of the magnet which retracts its armature 224 against the tension of the spring 246. With this construction the magnet 226 Ais energized normally, sub-normally and abnormally. When energized normally the magnet keeps its armature home. This normal energy is not suiicient, however, to operate the magnet to retract its armature when the valve 2|8 is closed by the, spring 246. The provision of a metallic circuit which is energized independently of the switch 24| eliminates arcing between the switch and the terminals 236 and 231 when switch con# tact is broken. The inductive discharge goes through the closed metallic circuit instead of jumping across the gap which has just been opened between the switch and one of the terminals.

In the position illustrated in Fig. l the magnet 226 is short-circuited or de-energized and the armature 224 is free to move under the influence of the spring 246 to close the valve 2|8. Thus, the conduit 2|5 is maintained closed to the atmosphere normally. When the roll |95 engages the uppermost sheet in the pile and withdraws it from beneath the hold-down fingers |90 and ISI to separate the sheet from the other sheets in the pile, the trailing edge of the separated sheet engages the fingers 244 thereby swinging the bell-crank lever 240 to withdraw the switch 24| from the terminal 236 and transfer the switch 24| to .the terminal 231. As shown in Fig. l the construction is such that the switch 24| is operated by an extremely slight movement of the fingers 244 under the influence of the trailing edge of the separated sheet.

When the switch 24| contacts with the terminal 231 the resistance coil 233 is short-circuited thus increasing the normal energization of the magnet 226 sufcient to retract the armature 224 against the tension of the spring 246 to operate the valve 2|8 and open the conduit 2|5 to the atmosphere. Opening the conduit to the atmosphere does not break entirely the suctional engagement of the roll |95 with the separated sheet as the movement of the valve 2|8 and the size of the opening closed thereby are correlated to the aggregate sizes of the openings 2|4 in the roll |95 in communication at the time with the conduit 2|5 so that the amount of suctional engagement of the roll |95 with the separated sheet is reduced rather than destroyed. With this construction after the conduit 2|5 is open to the atmosphere the suction roll |95 continues to engage the separated sheet during the continued rotation of the roll with a force tending to hold the trailing edge of the separated sheet rmly against the fingers 244 thus to maintain the magnet 226 fully energized. Vibration of the ngers 244 under the influence of uneven pressure exerted by the trailing edge of the separated sheet against them results neither in a fluttering of the valve 2| 8 nor in arcing between the terminals and the switch 24| to which the :the armature home after it has been retracted and provides an energized metallic circuit through which inductive discharges flow instead of jumping across'the gaps formed between the vibrating switch 24| and the terminal 231. It will, however, be understood by those skilled in the art that the period in which the separated sheet is held stationary against the fingers 244 before the separated sheet is snatched away from the roll |95 by the drum |96 is very small.

In order to stop the feed of the bank when the trailing edge ofthe separated sheet engages the fingers 244, the bracket 53 (Figs. 1 and 4) carries a horizontal pin 250 upon which a bell-crank lever 25| is pivoted. One arm of the bell-crank lever 25| is provided with a roll 252 which engages a peripheral groove 253 formed on the sleeve 58. 'Ihe other arm of the bell-crank lever 25| is connected by a link 254 to an armature 255 pivoted on amagnet unit 256. The magnet part of the unit comprises a coil 251 inserted through an opening formed centrally through a series of flat plates 258 (Fig. 4), the construction being such that a portion of each of the plates 258 passes through the central openingin the coil 251. The at plates are bound together by two flat metallic plates 259 secured to a bracket 260 on the side-frame 29. Interposed between the plates 255 and the bracket 260 is an insulating plate 26| (Fig. l).

As shown in Fig. the magnet 251 is connected in parallel with the magnet 224. Normally the spring 241 (Fig. l) maintains the magnets 226 and 251 short-circuited so that their armatures 224 and 255 are free to move, under the influence of the springs 246 and 6|), away from the magnets 226 and 251 thus to maintain the conduit 2|5 closed to the atmosphere and the clutch members 56 and 51 engaged to drive the bank along the two supply tables 22 and 24. When the trailing edge of the uppermost sheet actuates the ngers 244 to transfer the switch from the terminal 235 to the terminal 231 both magnets 226 and 251 are energized simultaneously to open the conduit 2 |5 to the atmosphere and to separate th clutch members 56 and 51 to stop the feed of the bank. With this construction the bank formed on the upper supply table 22 is fed continuously until the trailing edge of the uppermost sheet in the front end of the bank is drawn by the roll |95 into engagement with the fingers 244 when the feed of the bank, both the portion on the table 22 and the portion on the table 24, is suspended for the extremely brief period necessary for the drum |96 to snatch the separated sheet away from the roll |95 at which time the spring 241 returns the fingers 244 and the switch 24| to their normal positions (Fig. l). The return of the switch 24| to its normal position operates the electrical connections described to close the valve 2|8 and the clutch members 56 and 51.

As shown in Fig. 11 the delivering drum |93 which snatches the separated sheet from the roll |95 and delivers it from the pile comprises two sections 262 and 263 dcwelled together. Each section comprises a hub 264, splined to the shaft |10, a web 265 and a peripheral surface 266. Each section is provided with a series of peripheral openings 261 each one communicating with a ill blind passage 288. Each one of the blind passages has an opening 269 on the side of the peripheral surface 266 opposite the web 266.

In order to draw atmospheric air through the drum |96, its faces, provided with the openings 269, are engaged respectively by valve disks 210 and 21|.. The disk 210 has a hub 212 which fits loosely over the hub 264 of the drum section 263. The disk 210 is held from rotation on the hub 264 by a pair of screws 213 (Fig. 6) which are carried by the outside face of the disk 210 and embrace a lug 214 projecting upwardly from the forked end of the arm 206. The inside face of the disk 210 is provided with a groovev 215 which communicates with the openings 269 during the rotation of the drum |96. The inside face of the disk 210 is provided with another groove 216, but this groove has no operative communication with the openings 269 during the rotation of the drum 96. The groove 216 is merely provided as a constructional expedient to balance the groove 215 and to form a uniform seat for the end face of the drum during its rotation against the inside face of the disk 210. The disk 210 is pressed against the face of the drum |96 containing the openings 269 by a spring 211 which is coiled about the hub of the disk 210 and iocated between the body portion of the disk and a plate 218 'interposed between the drum |96 and the forked end of the arm 206. 'I'he inside face of the disk 21| is also provided with a groove 219 which communicates with the openings 269 during the rotation of the drum |96. The inside face of the disk 21| is also provided with a groove 280 having the same function as the groove 216. The disk 21| is also held from rotation 'on the hub 264 by a pair of screws 28| (Fig. 5)

which are carried by the outside face of the disk 21| and which embrace a lug 282 carried by the free end of an arm 283 projecting rearwardly from the hub 201. The free end of the arm 283 is forked to embrace the shaft |10. The disk 21| is pressed against the face of the drum |96 containing the openings 268 by a spring 284 which is coiled about the hub of the disk 21| and interposed between the body portion of the disk 21| and a plate 295 interposed between the drum |96 and the forked end of the arm 283.

With this construction, by loosening the set screws 209 the hub 201 may be adjusted laterally on the rod 208. As the forked ends of the arms 206 and 283 embrace the shaft |10 on opposite sides of the delivering drum |96 it is moved laterally on the shaft |10 when the hub 201 is moved laterally on the rod 208. During this lateral` movement of the delivering drum 96 and the hub 201 the gears 2 i0 and 2|| move laterally with the arm 206, the gear 2 0 because it is supported from the arm 206 and the gear 2li because its sleeve 2|2 rotates in contact with the forked end of the arm 206.

In order to draw atmospheric air through both sections of the drum |96 the outside faces of the disks 210 and 21| carry conduits 286 and 281 (Figs. 5 and 11). Each conduit communicates with a circular opening formed through its adjacent disk in position to communicate with the groove 215, in the case of the disk 210, and the groove 219, in the case of the disk 21|, during the rotation of the drum. The conduits 296 and 281 are connected to the air-exhausting system (not shown) to which the conduit 2|5 is connected.

As shown in Fig. 6 the conduit 286 is positioned to draw air through all the openings 261 in'the drum section 263 in communication with the groove 215 in the valve disk 210. In the position shown in Fig. 6 the conduit 281'draws air through all the openings 261 in the drum section 282 in communication with the groove 219 in the valve disk 21|.

In order to close all the openings 261 in communication with the grooves 216 and 2 19, respectively, except two oi them, one in each drum section, so that the conduits 286 and 281 may exhaust air from the drum and thus produce a suctional effect with these two openings to cause the exposed face of the separated sheet adjacent its leading edge to adhere to the periphery ot the drum |96 as shown in Fig. 14, the periphery of the drum |96 is partially covered by a band 288 (Figs. 5, 6, 12, 13 and 14). The band 288, which is driven by friction from the drum |96, or the paper sheet, during the rotating of the drum i 96, is supported by a frame comprising two spaced plates 289 and 290 which are pivoted on a horizontal pin 29| carried by the front ends of brackets 292 and 293 (Fig. 1) projecting forwardly from the cap |59. The 4plates 289 and 290 are connected together by the tierods 294 and 295.

The pin 29|. between the brackets 282 and 293, supports a roll 296 under and over which the band 288 passes. The upper run of the band 288 passes over a roll 291 rotatably mounted on a bolt 298 having a cylindrical head 299 on one end which ts into a countersunk portion on one end face of the roll. The other end of the bolt 299 is threaded and extends through a slot 300 formed in the plate 288. Outside the plate 289 the bolt 299 is provided with a washer 30| and is threaded to receive a nut 302 by means of which the roll 291 may be clamped to the plate 289 in a manner permitting the free rotation of the roll. 'I'he slot 300 is provided so that the position of the roll 291 may be changed to maintain the band 288 taut. From the roll 291 the band 288 passes around a roll 303 journaled on a pin 304 carried by the rear ends of the plates 289 and 290. From the roll 303 the band 288 passes in contact with the periphery of the drum |98 to the roll 296.

The portion of the band 288 in contact with the periphery of the drum |96 is held against the drum under pressure so that the band may be wrapped partially around its periphery. To this end the brackets 292 and 293 carry a horizontal rod 305 upon which a rod 306 is pivoted. The free end of the rod 306 passes loosely through an opening formed in a block 301 and a rock-shaft 308 to which the block is secured. The opposite ends of the rock-shaft 308 are journaled on the plates 289 and 290. Coiled around the rod 306 and interposed between a shoulder on the rod and the block 301 is a spring 309. With this construction the band 288 is held against the periphery oi! the drum |95 by the pressure of the spring 309. Moreover, the band frame, comprising the connected plates 289 and 290, may be thrown upwardly into the construction line position of Fig. 6 to permit access to that portion of the periphery of the drum |96 normally covered by the band 288.

Referring to Fig. 14 continued rotation oi' the drum |96 causes the pair of openings 261, forming suction cups in the periphery of the drum to which the exposed face of the separated sheet adjacent its leading edge adheres, to pull the sheet in between the periphery of the drum and the band 288. That is, the suction cups indicated at A, Fig. 14, pull the sheet in between the drum and the band 288. By manipulation of the screws 213 and 28| the rotative positions of the valve disks 210 and 21| may be varied in order to change the time in the rotation of the drum |96 at which the suction cups A come Within the suctional influence of the conduits 286 and 281. The next succeeding pair of suction cups, indicated at B, Fig. 14, then register with the grooves 215 and 219 in the valve disks 210 and 21| and air is exhausted from the cups B to cause the exposed face of the separated sheet to adhere thereto. This action continues as the succeeding suction cups register successively with the grooves 215 and 219 until a', sheet is Wrapped around the periphery of the drum throughout an arc concentric with the grooves 215 and 219.

When the suction cup indicated at A passes beyond the upper ends of the grooves 215 and 219, said point being indicated at C (Fig. 6), the suction cups A are open to atmospheric air and the leading edge of the separated sheet is free to leave the periphery ofthe drum. During the continued rotation of the drum the leading edge of the separated sheet is pushed into engagement 'with three tapes 3|0, which feed the separated sheet to the usual registry board (not shown) .i While the separated sheet is being transferred from the drum |96 to the feeding tapes 3|0 the suction cups which cause the sheet to adhere to the periphery of the drum are opened to the atmosphere successively as they pass the point C (Fig. 6).

In the meantime, and while the operative openings 261 in the periphery of the drum are covered by the rst separated sheet, except two, a second separated sheet is engaged by the suction cups A (Fig. 14) to repeat the cycle described. The suction cups A may be the same pair referred to or a different pair, depending upon the-length of the sheets being delivered from the pile by the drum |96. From this it will be apparent that the only function of the band 288 is to prepare the drum |96 for the reception of the rst sheet. After the first sheet is on the drum the successive sheets are drawn thereon without assistance from the band 28B. Of course, the band 288 would func-` tion, if a break came in the continuity of the separation of the sheets from the pile, after the break, exactly as in the case of the rst sheet hereinbefore referred to.

'Ihe central feeding tape 3|0 passes about a roll 3|| (Figs. 3 and 15) on a horizontal shaft 3| 2 (Fig. 16) the opposite ends of which are journaled in a frame 3|3, one end of which is supported from the machine or mechanism to which the sheets are fed and the other end of which rests on the rod 208. The right hand feeding tape 3|0 passes about a roll 3|4 (Figs. 3 and 15) on the shaft 3|2. The left hand feeding tape 3|0 passes about a roll 3|4 (Figs. 3 and 15) which is supported by the shaft 3|2. The rolls 3|4 flank the roll 3| f 'I'he sheet is pressed into engagement with the central feeding tape 3|0 by a rubber roll 3|5 mounted to rotate loosely between collars 3|6 and 3|1 fixed to a rod 3|0 the opposite ends of which are removably mounted on the frame 3|3.

In order to bridge the gap between the drum |95 and the portions of the feeding tapes 3| 0 passing over the tape-feeding rolls, the frame 3|3 carries a horizontal rod 3|9 upon which is mounted for lateral adjustment two fingers 320 (Figs. 3, 15, 16 and 18) projecting rearwardly into positions on opposite sides of the drum |96. These fingers 320 have a flat upper surface 32| which guide the sheet into the bight of the rolls 3| and 3|5. The fingers 320 also aid in stripping the sheet from the drum |96.

Cooperating with each of the fingers 320 is a nger 322 which projects rearwardly from a hub 323 secured to the rod\3|8 by-a set' screw 324. The hub 323 has a tail 325 to facilitate the adjustment of the hub 1ate`rally\of the rod 3|8 when the screw 324 is loosened andalso to aid in guiding the sheets ejected by the ejecting mechanism to be described. The nger322 is provided with a lower flat surface 326 which cooperates with the surface 32| to form a guide slot for the passage of the sheet to the feeding tapes.

The feeding tapes feed the sheet over the usual registry board (not shown) beneath a pair of fingers 321 (Figs. 3, 15 and 16). The fingers 321 project rearwardly from a hub 328 mounted for lateral adjustment on a rod 329 removably supported by the frame 3|3. Guarding the entrance to the space beneath each finger 321 is a sheet switch 330 (Figs. 3, 15, 16 and 19). Each switch 330 projectsrearwardly fro-m a hub 33| secured to ahorizontal shaft 332 the opposite ends of which are balanced upon the pointed ends of screws 333 and 334 adjustably secured to the opposite sides of the frame 3|3. With this construction the shaft 332 may rock readily. The rock-shaft 332 is provided with a tail 3330 the free end of which is connected to the frame 3|3 through a coiledv spring 3340. To this Vend the opposite ends of the spring 334 are connected to pins 335 and 336 carried respectively by the tail 3330 and the frame 3|3. The tail 3330 is also connected to the lower end of a vertical link 331 the upper end of which is pivoted to one end of a link 338 the other end of which is pivoted at 339 to a magnet unit 340. The upper surface of the link 338 carries the armature 34| of a magnet coil 3400. This magnet is inserted through an opening formed centrally in a series of at plates 342 (Fig. 19), the construction being such that a portion of each of the plates passes through the central opening in the coil. The plates 342 are bound together by two at metallic plates 343 each having avpair of outstanding ears 344 through which screws pass to secure the unit 340 to the horizontal face of a bent plate 345 the vertical face of which is secured to the frame 3|3. Interposed between the ears 344 and the plate 345 is an insulating plate 346. Normally the spring 334 holds the switch 330 in the position of Fig. 16. In this position the magnet 340 is deenergized to permit the armature 34| to drop or be moved by the spring 3349 into the position of Fig. 16.

By the use of suction devices, specifically a roll and a drum, operating successively to separatel and deliver the same sheet, an important advance in sheet feeding has been made. If through static electricity, unfavorable latmospheric conditions or badly severed sheets, a plurality of sheets are separated from the pile by the suction separating device when the suction delivering device operates to drag them away from the suction separating device to deliver them from the pile the two sheets will fan enough to allow the separating device to exert suction on the narrow lap of the underlying second sheet and thus prevent the delivering device from delivering more thanone sheet at a time from the pile. It sometimes happens. however, that the sheets are stuck together mechanically, as by ink. In that case the sheets stuck together will be separated and delivered from the pile as a unit. .To prevent such a plural sheet unit from being fed to the machine or mechanism to which the single sheets are fed the illustrated embodiment of the invention is provided with an ejecting mechanism i'or ejecting from the machine a plurality of stuck-together sheets. This ejecting mechanism is controlled by a calipcring mechanism for detecting the presence of the said plurality of sheets being delivered from the pile by the delivery mechanism.

In order to caliper the sheet being fed from the delivering drum |99 to the feeding tapes 3|0 for the purpose of detecting that a plurality of stuck together sheetsv has been separated and delivered as a unit from the table |31, the machine is provided with a calipering roll 341 (Figs. 15, 16, 1'7 and 19) mounted to rotate in contact with the periphery of the drum |96. Ihe roll 341 is secured to one end of a stub shat 348 which is journaled in the hub ofa bell-crank lever 349. The shaft 348 is held from longitudinal movement in the hub of the lever 349 by the hub of the roll 341 on one endof the shaft and by a collar 350 on the other-end of the shaft 348. The .horizontal arm of the bell-crank lever 349 is pivoted on the lower arm of a second bellcrank lever pivoted centrally on a horizontal pin 352 one end of which is carried by the arm 292 and the other end of which is carried by a bracket 353. The bracket-353 is secured to a plate 354 (Fig. 18) carried by the arm 292. The upper end of the bell-crank lever 35| is provided with an insulating plate 355 which carries a switch 356 having an electrical contact 351 on its free end. 'I'his terminal 351 is adapted, on occasion, to contact with an electrical terminal 358 carried by one end of a plate 359 secured through an insulating plate 3599, to the supporting plate 354.

As shown in Fig. 18 the terminals 351 and 358 are connected through the switch 356 in series with the magnet 340. Normally the switch terminal 351 is maintained out of contact with the terminal 358 by a coiled spring 360 one end of which is connected to a pin 36| on the plate 354 and the other end of which is connected to a pin 362 on the upper end of the bell-crank lever 35|.

Normally the calipering roll 341 is free to rise upwardly under the influence of a single sheet passing between the calipering roll and the drum |96. To this end the vertical arm of the bellcrank lever 349 is provided with a block 363 which is spaced from an adjusting screw 364, carried by the lower end of the bell-crank lever I35|, a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the paper in the sheets being-fed. The screw 364 is provided with an adjusting nut 365 so that the normal space between the block 363 and the end of the screw 364 may be varied. The desired adjustment may be maintained by a butterfly nut 366 on the screw 364. v

When more than one sheet at a time passes between the calipering roll 341 and the periphery of the drum |96 the bell-crank lever 349 swings on its pivot, the block 363 on the upper end of the bell-crank lever 349 contacts with the end of the screw 364, and the bell-crank lever 35| swings on the pin 352 against the tension of the spring 360 to engage the switch terminal 351 with the terminal 358. Referring to Fig. 16 it will be apparent thatv the axes of the shafts |10 and 348 and the axis of the pivot pin 352 are not in line. In effect the axis of the shaft 348 forms the floating pivot of a toggle the links of which may be considered as being pivoted on the shaft |10 and pivot pin 352. Thus the toggle is maintained in a slightly broken condition normally. With this construction the broken condition of the toggle is increased when two or more sheets pass between the surfaces of the drum |96 and the calipering roll 341.. This plurality of stuck-together sheets rst causes the upper end of the bell-crank lever 349 to contact with the end of the screw 364 and then causes the bell-crank lever 35| to swing on the pin 352 in a contra-clockwise direction viewing Fig. 18 to close the circuit through the engagement of the terminals 351 and 358. When this occurs the magnet 340 is energized. 'Ihe energized magnet retracts its armature 34| thus rocking the shaft 332 in a clockwise direction (Fig. 18) against the tension of the spring 334 to depress the sheet switches 330 into engagement with the outside tapes 3|0, respectively. When this occurs the leading edges of the plurality of sheets engage the upper surfaces of the depressed sheet switches 330 which direct the plurality of sheets through the space between the sheet switches 330 and the tails 325 to a pair of slats 361, (Fig. 1) one end of each of which is supported from the machine or mechanism to which the sheets are fed and the other end of each of which is suitably supported from the frame 3|3.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, taking into consideration the different sizes, thicknesses and materials that a commercial sheet feeding machine is called upon to deliver and the various eilects different atmospheric conditions have upon the sheets handled, that on some jobs it may not be necessary to employ in one machine all the described features of the illustrated enibodiment of the invention which is designed particularly for universal use. When feeding sheets of extremely thin paper or sheets having their leading edges curved downwardly, the leading edge thereon may not be able to snap from beneath the hold-down fingers |90 and |9| into the eld of operation of the delivery drum |96 notwithstanding the bend in the pile produced by the abutment rolls |09 and the band feeding roll 0. In such cases the leading edge of the thin sheet is thrown upwardly by a Winding device 368 (Figs. 1, 3, 5 and 6) which may be employed to supplement the bending action of the rolls |09 and ||0, or which may be employed independent of any bend in the bank, to bring the leading edge of the thin sheet into the field of operation of the delivering drum.

The winding device 368 comprises a cylindrical blowing tube 369 which is mounted for vertical and rotative adjustment on the hub 201 the desired adjustment being maintained by a set screw 310. One end of the tube 369 communicates with exible conduit 31| which is suitably connected to an air blowing system (not shown). The other end of the tube 369 is blind. Adjacent its blind end the tube 369 is provided with an orifice 312 which maybe circular or elongated, comprising a nozzle through which the air is blown over the exposed face of the top sheet in the pile. In order to induce the current of air blown out of the orice 312 to flow upwardly away from the exposed face of the top sheet in the pile the jet issuing from the orifice 312 impinges against a surface 313, spaced therefrom. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the surface 313 is curved and is formed on the bottom of a plate 314 substantially rectangular in plan (Fig. 5).

The plalc 314 is formed integral with the arms of n yoke 315 projecting rearwardly and downward- 1y from a collar 316 adjustably mounted vertically on the tube 369 to permit the jet issuing from the orifice 312 to strike the curved surface 313 different distances along its periphery.

As shown in Fig. 6 the convex-surface 313 from the point 311 to the point 318 has the curvature of a cylinder which merges into a curvature 319 directed rearwardly and upwardly. When the air from the orifice 312 strikes the curved surface 313, the air, instead of passing said surface tangentially or being deflected downwardly thereby, hugs the curved surface 313 and then flows in close engagement with the bottom of the plate throughout its length. The air is thus induced to ow upwardly away from the exposed face of the uppermost sheet. This upward movement of the air produces a conditionvof unbalanced pressure between the upper and lower ysurfaces of the uppermost sheet in the pile and thus permits atmospheric air to elevate the-leading edge of the uppermost sheet in the piley into the field of operation of the delivering drum. The only pur-l pose of the foot 314 from the point 318 to the rear end of the plate is to prolong thecondition of unbalanced pressure and transmit it as close to the leading edge of the separated sheet as possible considering the difficulty of locating the winding device underneath the drum |96.

The important features of the winding device 368 are the orifice 312 and the convex-surface 313 against which the jet from the orifice impinges. The surface 313 may be a plane as the best results are not obtained necessarily when the jet is caused to impinge against a curved surface. 'Ihe jet of air hugs the curved surface against which it strikes instead of passing by the curved surface tangentially, or being deflected thereby downwardly, and is thus induced to flow upwardly away from the top sheet. With this method of blowing air over the exposed face of the uppermost sheet in a pile and inducing the air to ow away from said face, a condition of unbalanced pressure is produced on opposite sides of said sheet so that the leading edge of the uppermost sheet is elevated by atmospheric air, acting upon the under side of the sheet, into the field of operation of the delivering drum. Experience has demonstrated that the winding device 368 opcrates to elevate the leading edge of the uppermost sheet in the pile independently of the bend shown in Fig. 6. Experience has also demonstrated that the closer the curved surface 313 is to the orifice 312 and the further the path of the jet strikes the curved surface away from a tangent of the curved surface 313 parallel to the path of the jet, the greater is' the eflcency.

In considering the winding device 368, therefore, it must be understood that the particular kind and shape of surface against-which the jet impinges, the particular space between the orice '.512 and the curved surface 313, the particular part of the curved surface against which the jet impinges, and the particular extension on the plate beyond the curved surface 313 herein disclosed are provided merely because they are well suited to the conjoint features of the illustrated embodiment of the present invention. In fact, when the winding device 369 is applied to the machine disclosed in my application hereinbefore referred to, to elevate the uppermost sheet in lthe pile into the field of operation of the delivering drum, the crice 312 may discharge its 'the jet against a surface 313 of a cylinder or it may be a ball 3145 on a line closely approaching a lhorizontal diameter thereof and in a plane substantially parallel to and spaced from the exposed face of the top sheet in the pile. The cylinder or ball 3140 is soldered in close proximity to the blowing tube 369 so .that the space between the orice 312 and the surface 313 against which the jet impinges is small. With this construction, which is disclosed in Fig. 21, the jet of air hugs the surface of the cylinder or ball through an arc exceeding 90 degrees.

The jet of air may be discharged from the orice 312, with excellent results, on a line substantially normall to the exposed face of the top sheet in the pile, and the exposed face of the sheet itself may be used to induce the jet of air to bend out of its normal path thus' to produce a condition of unbalanced pressure on the opposite faces of the top sheet. When discharging the air in a direction substantially normal to the exposed face of the top sheet in the pile it is preferred to provide the tube 368 with an orifice 315 (Figs. 22 and 23) through which the air is discharged vertically downward. Interposed between the exposed face ofthe top sheet in the pile and the orifice 315 is a plane surface 316 arranged substantially parallel to the exposed face of said top sheet. As shown, the plane surface 316 is formed by one face of a disc 311 supported from a collar 318 on the tube 368 by wires 319 soldered to the collar 318 and to the periphery of the disc 311.

When the jet from the orifice 315 strikes the plane surface 316, or it maybe the exposed face of the top sheet, the air spreads laterally and produces a condition of unbalanced pressure on the opposite faces lofvsaid top sheet thus inducing the elevation of at least a portion of the top sheet from the pile.

Referring again to Fig. 1 the bank feeding bands 32 and 62 may be driven at the same rate of speed. This speed may be varied by means of transmission mechanism (not shown) through which the pulley 59 is driven. By removing the gears 31 and 38 from the ends of the shaft 34 and the stud 39, respectively, and replacing said gears with similar gears having different ratios, the band 32 may be driven at a different speed than the band 62. This differential drive of the bands 32 and 62 fans out the sheets in the bank as it passes through the throat 23.

As described hereinbefore, the delivering drum |96 operates to pick up the separated sheets one at a time from the pile in rapid succession and thus deliver to the registry board mechanism a continuous stream of individual sheets. In order to correlate the timing between the operation of the delivering drum |96 and the operation of the mechanism to which the sheets are delivered for a subsequent operation the conduits 286 and 281 are connected to a branch conduit 388 (Figs. 2, 5, 24 and 25) which communicates thr Agh a nipple 38| (Figs. 24 and 25) with the ilior of a valve casing 382 secured to the arm |2 As shown in Fig. 3 the separating roll conduit 295 also communicates with the interior of the Valve casing 382 which is connected to a suitable air exhauster (not shown) through a conduit 383.

Mounted within the valve casing 382 is a piston valve 384 provided with cylindrical heads 385 and 386 connected together by a cylindrical shank 381 of reduced diameter. The head 385 carries a weight 388 which maintains a curvedv surface 389 on thehead 386 engaged with the 

